What Happens When You Summon Ranni in Elden Ring? A Comprehensive Guide
Summoning Ranni at the end of Elden Ring marks the culmination of a long and intricate questline, leading to the Age of Stars ending. This is not a simple choice, but rather the final step in a deliberate path that significantly alters the fate of the Lands Between. When you interact with the blue summon sign that appears after defeating the Elden Beast, you’re not merely triggering a cutscene; you are ushering in a new cosmic order.
This action initiates Ranni’s plan to replace the current order, guided by the Greater Will, with her own. By summoning her, you become her Elden Lord and consort, playing a pivotal role in her new reign. Ranni, as the new goddess, will establish a new age where the influence of the Outer Gods is diminished, giving the inhabitants of the Lands Between the freedom to shape their own destinies. This is generally considered the “best” or most positive ending by many players due to its promise of liberation and change, moving away from the rigid structures of the Golden Order. However, it’s crucial to understand that this ending is far from a black-and-white solution; it’s a complex and nuanced choice within Elden Ring’s morally gray narrative.
Understanding the Age of Stars
The Age of Stars is more than just a change of leadership; it represents a fundamental shift in the cosmic order. Ranni’s motivations stem from her desire to escape the control of the Two Fingers and the Greater Will. She views the current cosmic order as inherently flawed and oppressive, and she seeks to establish a new system that allows for true autonomy. By summoning her, you endorse this vision, becoming a key figure in her ambition. The new age she ushers in is not one of simple bliss, but of freedom and the potential for a better future, albeit one with unknown challenges.
Key Implications of Summoning Ranni:
- You become Ranni’s Consort: This isn’t just a symbolic title. It signifies that you are her partner in this new cosmic order, bound to her for eternity.
- The Golden Order is Dismantled: Ranni’s actions remove the influence of the Greater Will, diminishing the authority of the Golden Order and freeing the Lands Between from its control.
- A New Era of Freedom: Inhabitants are now masters of their own fate, with the potential for growth and change, unburdened by pre-set destinies.
- A Departure from the Traditional Ending: Instead of touching Marika’s head and mending the Elden Ring, you engage in a different path altogether, a deviation that reflects your active choices throughout the game.
Before Summoning: What You Need to Know
The decision to summon Ranni isn’t instantaneous. It’s contingent upon completing her intricate questline, making it an intentional action that requires dedication and commitment. It’s important to understand that you must adhere to certain conditions for the summon sign to even appear.
Prerequisites for Summoning Ranni:
- Completion of Ranni’s Questline: This is the most important factor. You must diligently follow her quest, which involves several steps, including finding the Miniature Ranni doll, exploring Nokron, obtaining the Fingerslayer Blade, and navigating through complex dialogues.
- The Frenzied Flame Must be Quelled: If you’ve inherited the Frenzied Flame, you will need to use Miquella’s Needle to quell it. Failure to do so will prevent Ranni’s summon sign from appearing. The Frenzied Flame ending is a path of destruction and is mutually exclusive with Ranni’s ending.
- Defeating the Final Boss: The summon sign will only appear after you have successfully defeated the Elden Beast, the final boss of the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Summoning Ranni
1. Is Ranni’s ending the “best” ending?
Many players consider the Age of Stars ending to be the “best” due to its promise of liberation from the Greater Will and the freedom it grants to the Lands Between. However, the notion of “best” is subjective and depends on individual interpretations of the narrative.
2. Does Ranni love the Tarnished?
In the Age of Stars ending, Ranni refers to the Tarnished as her “lord” and “dear consort,” signifying a deep bond and suggesting a mutual respect, and perhaps, even affection.
3. What happens if I don’t talk to Ranni at all?
If you haven’t interacted with Ranni and initiated her quest, you won’t be able to access the Age of Stars ending, as her summon sign will not appear.
4. Can I still do Ranni’s quest after killing Radahn?
Killing Starscourge Radahn before starting Ranni’s quest can disrupt a crucial character’s arc, hindering your ability to fully complete it and access the Age of Stars ending.
5. Does completing Ranni’s quest lock me out of other endings?
Simply completing Ranni’s quest won’t automatically lock you into her ending. You will still have the choice of other endings, provided you fulfill their specific requirements.
6. Is Ranni good or evil?
Ranni is considered a morally grey character. Her actions, including the Night of the Black Knives, are questionable, but her ultimate goal is to free the Lands Between from the oppressive influence of the Greater Will.
7. Where does Ranni go after you marry her?
Ranni’s final location after the Age of Stars ending is in the cathedral of Manus Celes in Moonlight Altar.
8. What is the difference between summoning Ranni and touching Marika?
Touching Marika will lead to the standard Elden Ring ending, whereas summoning Ranni initiates the Age of Stars, leading to a completely different cosmic order where she becomes the new Goddess.
9. What if I have inherited the Frenzied Flame?
If you have inherited the Frenzied Flame, Ranni’s summon sign will not appear. You will have to use Miquella’s Needle to quell it to access her ending.
10. Is there a “canon” ending for Elden Ring?
There is no confirmed “canon” ending; however, some speculate that the Age of Duskborn may align with some of the themes in the Elden Ring DLC. All endings provide a unique interpretation of the game’s story, and the ‘best’ is really down to the player.
11. Why is Renna’s Rise blocked?
Renna’s Rise is blocked by a magical barrier, requiring you to first speak with Ranni at her rise. This unlocks the path to her questline.
12. What is the rarest ending in Elden Ring?
The Frenzied Flame ending is considered the rarest due to its difficulty to unlock and the major deviation it represents from the standard paths of the game.
13. Do I have to beat Rennala to meet Ranni?
Beating Rennala is not a prerequisite for starting Ranni’s questline. You can meet Ranni before or after defeating Rennala without any issues.
14. What happens if you serve Ranni?
Serving Ranni is essential for progressing through her questline, which unlocks valuable rewards, unique encounters, and access to the Age of Stars ending.
15. Why did Ranni kill her Two Fingers?
Ranni used the Fingerslayer Blade to slay her Two Fingers, which allowed her to escape the influence of the Greater Will and chart her own destiny. This act is pivotal to her plan to bring about the Age of Stars.
Conclusion
Summoning Ranni at the end of Elden Ring is a pivotal decision that reshapes the world. It is not a choice to be made lightly, but rather the culmination of a journey marked by exploration, perseverance, and the pursuit of a new vision for the Lands Between. Understanding the implications of this action is crucial, offering players the chance to actively shape the ending they experience and truly leaving a lasting mark on the game. The Age of Stars, while controversial to some, is an intriguing and powerful end to an epic adventure.